Geremy Olson has learned from experience that different kids will have different hunting experiences, especially the first time out.

September and October bring youth hunting seasons in many northern states. Many of these seasons are easy to get ready for, but youth deer season takes a little more prep, logistically and mentally, for parents even more than kids. I loved taking my kids out for their first deer hunts. Keeping a few things in mind will help make these hunting trips positive, lifelong memories.

One of the most important things to remember when taking kids out on any hunt is not to set any expectations other than to have a safe, fun hunt. Every kid is different. You are taking them out on a trip for a first time experience. Some will pull the trigger without any hesitation, and others will be afraid to shoot when the time comes. It’s extremely important for the kids you are hunting with to know and understand that it’s okay to shoot and it’s okay not to. Looking back, I can’t tell you how beneficial this advice was with my kids.

Let the kids set the pace

The hardest thing I see for some adults to deal with is that it’s their kid’s hunt and needs to be their standard. I am writing from experience. I took a week off of work one year so I could hunt muleys with one of the boys for the youth buck season. We had a place with big muleys that we could hunt and I was stoked to watch him get a deer bigger than anything I have ever shot. But, 40 minutes into the season, a 5×5 whitetail walked in at 40 yards and he pulled up and shot. When I asked why he didn’t wait for a big muley, he grinned as he replied, “It’s bigger than my brother’s.” That was his standard, and I got to go to work that week.

A good friend called last year and asked what to do. His daughter wouldn’t shoot a doe because it may have a fawn. My answer was easy: “Bring a camera and a rifle. Let her choose.”

If we as adults push our personal goals, the kids we are hunting with can’t grow in their own outdoor experience. Kids need to learn when to shoot and when not to shoot with our help and mentoring, not our pressure.

Practice makes perfect

Cover the practice part of youth hunting while there is still time. Don’t get a gun for a kid, sight it in and go hunting in the same week. It’s a bad idea for an adult, why would that work for a kid? Find a weapon that will not kick too much and practice often with 4-10 shots with hunting rounds. Shooting more rounds with a smaller caliber, before or after shooting the hunting practice rounds, helps with hand/eye coordination and proper muscle memory. Shooting lots of hunting rounds leads to fatigue and flinching. These are hard habits to break.

Parents, have patience

When it comes to youth hunts you need to understand each kid’s desire, abilities and limitations. As you plan the hunt with your kids, keep all these things in mind and stretch them enough to grow and remember not to stretch them too much to leave them with a bad memory. Let them help make decisions on where to go and what to do. If it doesn’t work, then talk about why. Youth hunting is about learning together. The one thing I’ve learned is that deer are less affected by sound than I thought. So answer questions when they come up. It is better to spook a deer and answer a question than to shush a kid and have them not learn.

Finally, don’t get mad or disappointed about how the hunt goes. Yes, it is a bummer to eat a tag. But if you show any disappointment, I guarantee you that your kids will take it personally, whether you think so or not. We are hunting youth season to help our kids learn and to make memories with them. How can this be disappointing? Our job as parents is to be there to teach them, celebrate with them, encourage them, and everything in-between. So get out and practice with your kids, and enjoy your time together so that you can have a memory making youth deer season.

To prepare for the fall hunting season (with or without kids) check out the August issue of MidWest Outdoors, available now at the newsstand or by subscribing on our website.